A CNA is a certified nursing assistant. Years ago the same job was done by what we called a Nurse's Aides - someone who typically did all the dirty work and cleaning that wasn't quite medical related, but not quite housework either.
Up till recently there were really no formal education programs. Nurse's aides needed no training for their first job but most probably they had a structured type of orientation where they spent a few days learning the duties of their job and finding their way around a large hospital setting.
As time went on, medical laws changed and privacy issues were brought to the forefront. Nurse's aides were upgraded to what is now a CNA, and formal training and educational programs were started at high schools and colleges and even private instructional centers. Courses lasted anywhere from a month to nine months depending on where you went and how much practical experience you were given.
There are two vital parts of this type of curriculum. One is classroom study where you learn theory, and the other is literally on the job training where you get hands on practical experience working in a medical setting, usually a hospital or nursing home.
And this is the major problem with any of the online CNA training programs. You don't get the hands on experience you need to really know your job. Some of the large educational facilities have managed to provide a type of web based learning where students would be required to attend scheduled classes and events using various online programs and web cams
Although the practical part of these studies can be practiced on your own, and they should be, it's difficult to figure out your mistakes right away if you don't have the option of being with your instructor or class as you are learning. A CNA might be responsible for changing post op dressings in large hospitals, so you'll obviously need to perfect this particular task before being asked to do at work.
Just remember - you can pass your program with an A and you can ace your state exam, but if you haven't mastered all the hands on tasks you'll be responsible for mastering your first week on the job, you might be forced into taking extra courses to give you the practice you didn't get the first time around.
If you are hoping to land a job in a large hospital that pays well, you'd be better off enrolling in a program that offers plenty of practical experience. Without that level of training, you might end up at a smaller facility at a lower pay rate.
Up till recently there were really no formal education programs. Nurse's aides needed no training for their first job but most probably they had a structured type of orientation where they spent a few days learning the duties of their job and finding their way around a large hospital setting.
As time went on, medical laws changed and privacy issues were brought to the forefront. Nurse's aides were upgraded to what is now a CNA, and formal training and educational programs were started at high schools and colleges and even private instructional centers. Courses lasted anywhere from a month to nine months depending on where you went and how much practical experience you were given.
There are two vital parts of this type of curriculum. One is classroom study where you learn theory, and the other is literally on the job training where you get hands on practical experience working in a medical setting, usually a hospital or nursing home.
And this is the major problem with any of the online CNA training programs. You don't get the hands on experience you need to really know your job. Some of the large educational facilities have managed to provide a type of web based learning where students would be required to attend scheduled classes and events using various online programs and web cams
Although the practical part of these studies can be practiced on your own, and they should be, it's difficult to figure out your mistakes right away if you don't have the option of being with your instructor or class as you are learning. A CNA might be responsible for changing post op dressings in large hospitals, so you'll obviously need to perfect this particular task before being asked to do at work.
Just remember - you can pass your program with an A and you can ace your state exam, but if you haven't mastered all the hands on tasks you'll be responsible for mastering your first week on the job, you might be forced into taking extra courses to give you the practice you didn't get the first time around.
If you are hoping to land a job in a large hospital that pays well, you'd be better off enrolling in a program that offers plenty of practical experience. Without that level of training, you might end up at a smaller facility at a lower pay rate.
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Be certain to check out Kevin's exceptional writing on CNA Certification and Red Cross CNA Certification.
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